The Fall Guy — Review

It was always likely that a former stuntman would be the one to make a movie that celebrates the art of stunt craft, and THE FALL GUY achieves that goal seamlessly. David Leitch loads his fifth solo feature with colourful visual style and pyrotechnic panache, eliciting laughs from the on-point performances and high-octane thrills from the breakneck action set pieces. Ryan Gosling and Emily Blunt are both natural wells of charisma, and the chemistry they share makes it easy to root for them both, pulling the narrative through moments where the writing isn’t as polished as it could have been. THE FALL GUY is a rom-com dressed up as an action movie, and it can sometimes feel like a patchwork piece that doesn’t always coalesce seamlessly.

Comedically, the movie is inconsistent, but at every opportunity, the action and incredible stunt work compensate for other shortcomings. So much of the action is shot practically and without significant digital enhancement, and that shouldn’t be surprising given Leitch’s background and what the film ultimately wants to say about the stunt work industry. THE FALL GUY doesn’t attempt to reinvent the wheel; what it does do though is ensure that each sequence is brimming with personality and a keen fun factor, allowing the performers to champion the material while shining a bright light on the amazing and often unsung stunt men and women that regularly put themselves through pain for our entertainment.